Automation is leading way for the future of mining

2016-09-27

Atlas Copco, the global forerunner in underground mining equipment, will focus on automation at MINExpo 2016 (September 26-28) in Las Vegas, USA. The company will showcase a wide range of product news aimed at tackling many of today’s toughest challenges in the mining industry.

Under the banner “The Future of Mining is Now” the Atlas Copco booth will present its latest equipment all geared to increasing efficiency and lowering the total cost of operations. Several of these developments are seen as key solutions to the many challenges currently facing the industry.

Atlas Copco Underground Rock Excavation is constantly working towards driving productivity of operations forward and is becoming more prominent in providing their customers with full control over their operation, cost, production, timing etc. As such the focus on the product launches will be on Automated products designed to meet the tough underground requirements on downtimes and robustness.

“Based on Atlas Copco’s automation process of four stages; monitor, control, optimize and autonomy, we want to showcase examples improvements of how these steps respectfully can provide standardization, flexibility, timing and precision. All in order to have full control over operation costs and timings” says Andreas Nordbrandt, President, Atlas Copco Underground Rock Excavation.

The new launches and a relaunch verifying this are: Minetruck MT65, the latest addition to the Minetruck range, the tougher and smarter Boomer S2 underground drill rig and the easy-to-move Easer raiseboring machine.

Building on Atlas Copco’s years of underground haulage experience around the globe, the new Minetruck MT65 offers superior performance in a compact profile. With a 65 tonne capacity and an effective powertrain, Minetruck MT65 promises to dramatically increase productivity.

The new Boomer S2 is Atlas Copco’s first automated drill in its own segment. No other rig can match the productivity of the new drill rigs uptime at such low operational cost. The rig’s new rock drill COP MD20, is up to 10% faster in drilling compared to other rock drills currently on the market and increases drill uptime.

Easer, the mobile raiseboring machine from Atlas Copco, will be re-launched, operates in the same way as a traditional raise borer, drilling both upwards and downwards. The wheel mounted rig makes it easy to move for fast and easy set-up wherever it needs to be in the mine and no concrete platform or site preparation is necessary. In addition, to make the work safer and more efficient, all moving and lifting is done with a remote control crane.

The new innovations presented by Atlas Copco is based on years of experience and continuous dialogue with global mining and tunneling customers.

Atlas Copco is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. The Group serves customers with innovative compressors, vacuum solutions and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. Atlas Copco develops products and services focused on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics. The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 180 countries. In 2015, Atlas Copco had revenues of BSEK 102 (BEUR 11) and more than 43 000 employees. Learn more at www.atlascopcogroup.com.

Underground Rock Excavation is a division within Atlas Copco’s Mining and Rock Excavation Technique business area. It develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of tunneling and mining equipment for various underground applications worldwide. Atlas Copco's strong focus on innovative product design and service support systems gives added customer value. The divisional headquarters and main production center are in Sweden.